Improvement in washing-machines



W. K. F'LIETSTRA.

Washing-Machines.

PatentedJuly 8,1873.

Inv mor:

Attorneys.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

WILLIAM K. FLIETSTRA, OF HOLLAND, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. I l 0,620, dated July 8, 1873 application filed June 14, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM K. FLIETSTRA, of Holland, in the county of Ottawa and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Balance Washing-Machines, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a top view of my improved machine, the cover being removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same taken through the line a 00, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved washing-machine in which the clothes are washed by being projected from end to end of the machine as it is rocked upon its pivots, the labor of rocking being lessened by a balance-weight connected with it. The invention consists in an improved washingmachine formed of the frame, the box, the pivots, the ribs or cleats, the projecting plates, the cover, and the balance-weight, constructed and arranged, in connection with each other, as hereinafter fully described.

A is the frame-work of the machine, consistin g of two vertical frames, attached at their lower ends to a base-frame, which base-frame is made sufficiently. large to give a firm and stable support to the machine. B is the box or clothes-receiver, which is made rectangular in form, and which is pivoted to and between the upper parts of the vertical parts of the frame A by the screw-pivots (3, which screw through the said frames and enter holes or sockets formed in the sides of the box B, or in bars or blocks attached to said sides. To the sides and bottom of the box B are attached ribs or cleats D, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, against which the clothes are rubbed as they slide back and forth. In one or both ends of the box B are secured a number of plates, E,

the upper edges of which are formed with rounded projections, gradually increasing in height toward the end of the box, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and which are designed to catch upon the clothes and turn them over as the box is oscillated. The box B is provided with a cover, F, which is made in three parts, the end parts being permanently attached to said box, and the middle part being hinged at one edge to the edge of one of the end parts, and secured, when closed, by buttons or other convenient fastenings secured to the other part. To the end parts of the sides of the box B are secured handles G, by means of which the said box B may be oscillated. Another handle, G, is secured to the upper middle part of a side of the box B by being inserted in a dovetailed slot formed in the said box, or in a cleat or block attached to said box. To one side of the box B is attached a plate or flange, H, for the attachment of a wringer. I is a weight placed upon the lower end of the rod or stem K, and secured in place by a hand-nut, J, screwed upon its lower end, so that the weight may be raised and lowered, to adjust it according to the amount of clothes in the box B, by turning the said nut. The upper end of the rod K is inserted in a hole in the bottom of the box B, or in a bar or cleat attached to said bottom. TherodKisstrengthenedandweight I supported by the brace-rods L, the lower ends of which are attached to or formed upon the rod K, and their upper ends are secured to the bottom of the box B.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent An improved washing machine, formed of the frame A, box B, pivots (l, ribs or cleats D, projecting. plates E, cover F, and balanced weight I J K L, constructed and arranged, in connection with each other, substantially as herein shown and described.

WILLIAM K. FLIETSTRA.

Witnesses:

JOHN ALING, H. D. PosT. 

